Michael Duff - Who is he and what can Town fans expect?
Joel Grainger, Writer.
Twitter: @joelgraingerr
Michael Duff has been appointed as the new manager of Huddersfield Town. In this article I profile the Northern Irishman, covering a brief history of him, his tactical approach and how I expect he will utilise our current squad.
Credit: Huddersfield Town
A brief history
Michael Duff is a manager who is held in extremely high regard amongst EFL fanatics. His attacking yet resilient style of play has been a hit with fans and pundits alike.
As a player, Duff was an industrious defender who made over 600 appearances during his 20-year playing career. He also made 24 appearances at international level for Northern Ireland. A natural leader on the pitch, it’s no surprise that Duff has translated his leadership well into the management side of the game.
Duff started his managerial career in charge of Burnley’s u18 team before stepping up to manage the u23’s. In 2018, Duff found himself in his first top job, he took charge of his former club Cheltenham Town. Having already established himself as a legend on the pitch, he brought great success to Cheltenham whilst in the dugout. During his time with the Robins, he led them to the League Two title and followed it up by recording their highest ever league finish, coming 15th in League One.
In 2022, after 4 years and a multitude of successes at Cheltenham, Duff decided it was time to explore other options. He soon found himself as Head Coach of Barnsley, signing a 3-year deal with the Tykes. The 2022-23 season was a very successful one for Barnsley, they recorded 86 points and finished 4th in the table. Having triumphed against Bolton in the play-off semi-finals, they were beaten in controversial circumstances by Darren Moore’s Sheffield Wednesday in the final.
After this positive first season with Barnsley, Duff was once again a man in demand. In June, he was approached by Swansea City and joined the Championship side, to the distaste of Barnsley fans. The Swansea job brought new challenges for Duff. The squad that Russell Martin had built was one that was designed for patient, possession-based football. This was not a style Duff was keen to implement and the fans quickly lost faith in him. He departed Swansea in December 2023 having won 21 points from his 19 games in charge.
His tactical approach
Whilst he has experimented with other formations, Duff usually opts to line his teams up in a 3-5-2 shape. His sides are traditionally solid at the back and high-scoring in the final third. He prides himself on his ability to bring together a team and get them working as a unit. He aims to attack quickly and efficiently whilst retaining a clear defensive structure.
Out of possession, Duff will get his front two pressing aggressively with the midfielders ready to support the press from deep. They will aim to win the ball back high up the pitch and in areas where they can punish the opposition.
If the opportunity to attack with a fast transition is not available, Duff’s sides are able to create chances through well-coached possession play involving short passes building up in their own half and quick combinations to play through the press.
Duff has also been praised in the past for his tactical flexibility. His sides, particularly Barnsley, have had the ability to operate as both an aggressive, counter-attacking unit and also as a more meticulous, possession-focused side. They would often demonstrate the ability to do both in the same match.
His defence is made up of a rigid back 3 involving defenders who are capable of stepping up the pitch with the ball and aiding build-up play. Defensively, their priority is to defend the penalty box and win their duels.
Duff’s system is very wingback-heavy, they are required to hold the width in attack and supply accurate deliveries into the penalty area for the strikers. Alongside their attacking duties, they need to be prepared to pull their weight defensively, aiming to nullify the opposition wingers.
With his midfield, Duff switches between having a number 6, with two further forward, and having a number 10, with two playing a bit deeper. The deepest midfielder will be tasked with receiving the ball from the defenders and controlling the tempo of the possession play. Luca Connell did this perfectly for his Barnsley side. The more advanced midfielders will be required to receive the ball between the lines and either look wide for an overlapping wingback or play a pass through to one of the strikers. Whilst defending, the whole midfield unit has to be prepared to step up to the opposition in order to back up the press led by the strikers.
Duff needs his strikers to understand pressing triggers and lead a successful press. They must also possess a great penalty box instinct to allow them to get on the end of crosses and convert chances that come their way. Pace in transition is also valued, Duff likes at least one of his strikers to be a big threat in behind. Fast players such as Alfie May and Devante Cole found success under Michael Duff.
How will he utilise our current squad?
In this section, I discuss what I think Michael Duff will make of certain members of the playing squad and how he may deploy them throughout the upcoming season.
Goalkeepers
Should they both stay at the club, I highly doubt Town will enter the goalkeeper market. Lee Nicholls and Chris Maxwell are two superb options at this level and I can’t see Duff having any issues with either of them. Jacob Chapman has recently received a 2-year contract extension.
Centre Back’s
Given his preference to use 3 central defenders and the fact Michal Helik will probably be sold on, I expect us to enter the market and strengthen in this position. When it comes to the current options, I think Michael Duff will see value in experienced players such as Tom Lees and Matty Pearson. I also think Radinio Balker will be favoured by Duff, his ability to bring the ball out of defence and pace to defend transitions will make him an appealing option at the back. I expect Ollie Turton and Josh Ruffels will feature as wide centre-backs instead of wingbacks if they are still at the club come the start of the season.
Wingbacks
We are extremely light in this position, we will have to recruit. Given his apparent attitude problems under Breitenreiter, I am expecting Jaheim Headley may not be here next season. However, if he is, Duff could see him as a strong option for that left-hand side. Ben Jackson struggled for the most part in the Championship but may prove to be a useful rotation option in the league below. I expect Sorba Thomas to be sold, on the right-hand side that leaves only Brodie Spencer. He is sublime defensively but leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to going forward. Similarly to Turton, he may be re-profiled as a central defender.
Midfielders
To start with, Jack Rudoni will surely be sold on. Also, there’s a chance Jonathan Hogg is not a member of the playing squad next season if he and the club cannot come to an agreement. However, if he is, I think he will be viewed as a rotation option as the deepest of 3 midfielders. When it comes to David Kasumu, whilst he’s not the best with the ball at his feet, Duff will surely see value in his ability to press aggressively and carry the ball, this system should suit Kasumu. Ben Wiles simply needs to get fitter, he looked off the pace far too often last season. Should he do so, his technical ability could be key for Michael Duff, he has shone at this level before. Josh Austerfield may see more first-team minutes but if we recruit other options, he may find his playing time limited again. Tom Iorpenda could also find himself playing more often albeit mostly from the bench. A loan could be on the cards for the youngster. Scott High will probably be surplus to requirements after another disappointing spell away from the club.
Wingers/Strikers
Unfortunately for Josh Koroma and Pat Jones, Duff’s system does not accommodate for wingers. Koroma played up top plenty of times last season and could once again, be an option for the front 2. Jones also has history playing as a striker, however, Duff may prefer a more traditional number 9. Duff likes his strikers to be very busy and press from the front, Rhys Healey, Danny Ward and Kian Harratt are all relentless pressers off the ball. However, depending on how we recruit, there’s a chance Ward and Harratt are moved on. Bojan Radulovic should really benefit from the comprehensive pre-season training. I expect Duff will like his penalty box instincts and I hope he plays a bigger role next season. I expect Kyle Hudlin and Tyreece Simpson to be surplus to requirements following their underwhelming League One loans.